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Updated: Oct 4, 2025
In Vitro Bioluminescence Assay to Characterize Circadian Rhythm in Mammary Epithelial Cells
Published on: September 28, 2017
Circadian rhythms and renal pathophysiology
Rajesh Mohandas1,2, Lauren G Douma3, Yogesh Scindia1,4,5
1Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology.
Insights
Modern life disrupts our internal body clocks, increasing cardiovascular disease risk. This review explores how circadian disruption impacts kidney disease, suggesting potential new therapies.
Area of Science:
- Chronobiology
- Nephrology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Circadian disruption, a misalignment between internal biological rhythms and the environment, is linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk.
- Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death, with kidney disease posing a significant public health challenge and contributing to cardiovascular mortality.
- Existing treatments for kidney disease are insufficient, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence connecting circadian rhythm disruption with renal impairment in humans.
- To focus on the impact of circadian dysfunction in chronic kidney disease, lupus nephritis, hypertension, and aging.
- To identify knowledge gaps in the mechanisms underlying circadian dysfunction in kidney diseases and explore potential therapeutic interventions.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of epidemiological and clinical studies.
- Analysis of data linking circadian rhythm disruption to specific renal conditions.
- Identification of mechanistic pathways and therapeutic targets.
Main Results:
- Epidemiological data strongly associate circadian disruption with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Circadian dysfunction is implicated in the pathophysiology of chronic kidney disease, lupus nephritis, hypertension, and age-related renal decline.
- The relationship between circadian rhythm and kidney disease is bidirectional, with mutual influence on disease progression.
Conclusions:
- Circadian rhythm disruption is a significant factor in the development and progression of various kidney diseases.
- Understanding the bidirectional relationship between circadian dysfunction and renal pathophysiology is crucial for developing effective treatments.
- Circadian rhythm-based therapies hold promise as a novel treatment strategy for renal diseases.
Abstract:
The reality of life in modern times is that our internal circadian rhythms are often out of alignment with the light/dark cycle of the external environment. This is known as circadian disruption, and a wealth of epidemiological evidence shows that it is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease remains the top cause of death in the United States, and kidney disease in particular is a tremendous public health burden that contributes to cardiovascular deaths. There is an urgent need for new treatments for kidney disease; circadian rhythm-based therapies may be of potential benefit. The goal of this Review is to summarize the existing data that demonstrate a connection between circadian rhythm disruption and renal impairment in humans. Specifically, we will focus on chronic kidney disease, lupus nephritis, hypertension, and aging. Importantly, the relationship between circadian dysfunction and pathophysiology is thought to be bidirectional. Here we discuss the gaps in our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying circadian dysfunction in diseases of the kidney. Finally, we provide a brief overview of potential circadian rhythm-based interventions that could provide benefit in renal disease.
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